As the country chairs the summit this year.
On Wednesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that he and his fellow leaders in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will three pressing issues at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu on Friday.
Representing the Philippines, he noted that the country will take the lead in “productive dialogue” and discussions on energy security, food security, and the safety of Southeast Asian nationals across the world.
“At this summit, I will lead discussions on how the region can bolster regional preparedness and ensure stable energy supply and accelerate energy diversification to reduce vulnerability to external shocks, including those stemming from the conflict in the Middle East,” Marcos said in a video message.
The President added that he would push to strengthen regional food security, keeping the free flow of essential goods, and building measures to support farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Furthermore, he also vowed to ensure that ASEAN nationals across the world feel the impact of current regional developments as he stressed the importance of their safety.
At the same time, the Philippines would continue championing the founding ideals of ASEAN, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and cooperation for shared benefit.
“We will continue to stress that as one region, our efforts will truly be effective on the basis of a unified approach and collective vision,” he told. “Through these actions, we will embrace an ASEAN where its peoples enjoy a secure, peaceful, and stable future.”
In addition, he also warmly welcomed delegations from 10 other member state, who will be getting to experience Filipino hospitality “that is rooted in the country’s rich cultural heritage, shaped by timeless traditions, and animated through people’s openness and warmth.”
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TO BE SIGNED
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary and ASEAN Spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial said in a press briefing at the International Media Center in Lapu-Lapu City noted that the Philippines will endorse three important outcome documents for the consideration of ASEAN leaders.
“Specifically, under the ASEAN APSC (ASEAN Political-Security Community) Pillar, we are working toward the endorsement of three important outcome documents for the consideration of the ASEAN Leaders,” he told.
First of these is the Cebu Protocol to Amend the Charter of the ASEAN, which will mark the first amendment to the ASEAN Charter since its signing in 2007—reflecting ASEAN’s continued institutional strengthening, particularly in support of Timor-Leste’s full integration into the regional bloc.
Secondly, the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation will also be endorsed, underscoring the region’s commitment to advancing maritime cooperation.
It will include concrete initiatives such as the inclusion of the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum (ACF) as an ASEAN Sectoral Body and the proposed establishment of an ASEAN Maritime Centre in the Philippines.
Another outcome document for endorsement will be the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Response to the Middle East Crisis, which is from the two Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting convened by the Philippines in March and April in response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Leaders’ Statement outlines ASEAN’s collective response to the crisis while building the foundations for stronger coordination in future emergencies.
Imperial also emphasized that while ASEAN Leaders focus on three important priorities during the 48th ASEAN Summit — energy security, food security, and safety of ASEAN nationals — the Philippines will continue to advance the country’s key priorities and deliverables in the preparatory meetings.
These include the preparations for the Commemorative Activity of the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, the continued integration of Timor-Leste, and the latest developments in Myanmar.
“At a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty and evolving regional challenges, the Philippines underscores the importance of bolstering the region’s strategic autonomy guided by ASEAN Centrality, enhancing our coordination as a community of nations, and reaffirming our resolve to the long-standing principles of international law,” the official said.
DFA HOSTS MEETINGS
Meanwhile, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will be hosting a series of meetings in preparation for the summit.
“Ahead of the 48th ASEAN Summit on 8 May 2026, the Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs as the lead agency for the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Pillar will host a series of preparatory meetings,” Imperial, who is also a DFA official, noted.
The department is the lead agency for the ASEAN Political-Security Community Pillar and will host a series of preparatory meetings ahead of the summit, he said.
Among these meetings will be the Preparatory ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting, marking the 3rd SOM under the chairship of the Philippines to be held Wednesday afternoon.
This will be followed by the Senior Officials of the ASEAN Political-Security and Economic Community Pillars joining the Preparatory ASEAN Joint SOM-SEOM Meeting.
On Thursday, May 7, a series of ministerial-level meetings will be held including the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), the 31st ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, the 38th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, and the ASEAN Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting.
Senior Officials and Foreign Ministers of the 11 ASEAN Member States are expected to attend this meeting and will help lay the groundwork for the 48th ASEAN Summit with discussions focused on pressing regional priorities and ASEAN’s long-term community-building agenda in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.